Arkansas Governor Signs Domestic Violence Bill Dubbed 'Laura's Law'

[LiberalArkie]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/01/arkansas-domestic-violence_n_6970902.html



Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) signed a bill on Wednesday requiring police to screen domestic abuse victims to assess their risk of being killed in a domestic homicide, a proactive step that aims to reduce lethal intimate partner violence.

The legislation, called “Laura’s Law,” is named after Laura Aceves, a 21-year-mother of three who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in 2012. Last year, The Huffington Post ran an investigative story on Aceves’ death, examining why the criminal justice system was unable to protect her and exploring Arkansas’ poor record on domestic violence.

"Hopefully, we can do better as a state," Hutchinson said upon signing the bill.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of U.S. women have experienced domestic violence at some point in their lives. On average, three women are killed by an intimate partner each day.


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